Overview
More is known today about "how to train" than ever before. Many old methods and once-accepted training practices are disappearing in favor of better, more effective procedures and strategies.
The information and technology explosion has resulted in a rapid change of pace and an "age of specialization." Employee turnover is at all-time highs, and skilled workers are harder and harder to find. To stay competitive, productive and profitable, the successful organization must recognize the need for ongoing, results-driven training programs.
Agenda
Pinpoint Your Training Needs
- Learn how to simplify and clarify your goals — and discover exactly what you need to accomplish to meet them.
- How to spot training needs early — before deficiencies reach crisis level.
- Innovative ways to use feedback to spot problems and needs requiring training solutions.
- How to sell your training ideas and create proposals that win the support of management and employees.
- Use questionnaires and surveys to pinpoint training needs, including examples and techniques.
- Learn about alternatives you can tap into when formal training isn’t possible.
Understand the Adult Learning Process
- The most common barriers to learning and how to avoid them.
- Discover the 10 characteristics of adult learners, and use the information to produce on-the-mark training for employees.
- 20 guidelines you can use now to give better instructional presentations to adults.
- Learn the 13 needs of adult learners, and tailor your training for maximum effectiveness.
- Six ways to motivate people and make them want to learn — even resistors and know-it-alls.
Plan and Develop Super-Powerful Programs
- Use a simple, easy-to-use form to design your presentation — you’ll save hours.
- Tips for setting objectives: why you must have specific objectives before you can begin planning.
- Consultants and independent trainers: find out if they can save you time or money.
- A guide to resources and research: find out where to look for the background information you need.
- The creative program: learn six ways you can develop a training program that will leave no one bored.
- How to produce a tight, productive outline to guide you every step of the way.
- Learn surprising ways you can involve your coworkers in the planning process to increase enthusiasm and support.
- 15 training formats you can use, including advantages to each format and easy-to-understand example sand techniques.
- How to pace the program: know when to speed up and when to slow down.
- Five areas you should cover early in the day, and five areas to cover as the day progresses.
Produce Innovative Materials and Presentations
- 12 expert tips for designing visual aids to put punch in your program.
- Learn indispensable user tips for flip charts, overhead projectors, films, video, slides and more.
- How to develop better materials and course books to reinforce learning long after the training program ends.
- The optimum physical environment: find out how noise, space, temperature, lighting and other “comfort factors” affect your presentation.
- Use diagrams for eight room arrangements — you’ll learn the best setup for the smallest to largest group.
- Guidelines to help you develop a professional presentation style that will increase your confidence and effectiveness.
- Four ways you should use humor — and three ways you should not.
- Find out when to use question-and-answer sessions, with dynamic tips to help you field questions like a pro.
- Three ways to personalize the training material and increase participation and involvement.
- Prepared training materials: when you should take advantage of them and when you should avoid them.
- 11 musts for instructional presentations: use a helpful checklist to be sure you haven’t overlooked anything.
Encourage Maximum Learning and Participation
- 12 ways to maintain audience rapport and encourage better participation from everyone.
- How to identify and deal with learning resistance.
- Dozens of ideas to incorporate interactive training methods, including role playing, case studies, games and panel discussions.
- Increase retention and memory. Learn six ways trainers can determine if new material has been understood.
- Discover nine ways to help participants relate material to their own personal experiences.
- Six expert tips for using group participation and discussion effectively, without losing control.
- How to develop team spirit and camaraderie among participants to heighten their learning experience.
Master One-on-One Training
- The new employee: smart strategies to make training and orientation as quick and easy as possible.
- Discover clever ways to increase your effectiveness in day-to-day training situations — giving instructions, guiding employees and more.
- How to utilize your subordinates and other employees for in-house training.
- Eight tips for one-on-one instruction that guarantee a productive experience for the trainer and trainee.
Evaluate Training Effectiveness
- Solid pointers for effective follow-up: seven ways to clarify training success.
- Five specific methods to gather information for training evaluation.
- Was your training effective? Learn step-by-step methods for measuring the results.
- Debriefing — what it is, why you should do it and a nine-step plan to show you how.
- The dollars-and-cents of training: learn how to demonstrate training profitability and win the support of even the most disbelieving managers.
- How to increase involvement in training programs throughout your organization, from top to bottom.
- Training on a budget: learn cost-effective ideas for quality training.
